A separate suspect was arrested following a raid on a two-acre cannabis cultivation located within the Kebiliththa Reserve

Officers of the Athimale Police Station, together with the Narcotics Control Bureau, arrested a suspect during a raid conducted on the morning of 09.03.2026 in the Kotiyagala Reserve area, within the Athimale Police Division, where a cannabis cultivation site had been established across an extent of approximately two acres.

During the operation, 55,220 cannabis plants, each reaching a height of about six feet, were discovered growing on the land. Authorities subsequently took measures to destroy the plantation by setting it on fire.

The suspect taken into custody is a 34-year-old resident of the Embilipitiya area.

Further investigations are being carried out by the Athimale Police.